VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL | Oct 25-29, 2023

36th Annual VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL October 25-29, 2023

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

PORTRAIT LADY FINAL Play Button

In eighteenth century France, the elusive Héloïse has rejected her mother’s previous attempts to commission a wedding portrait out of her resistance to marriage. As a result, Marianne–the most recent artist–must masquerade as a lady’s maid during the day to paint her subject from memory by night. As the portrait materializes, an unlikely relationship blossoms between the two women as Héloïse enjoys her last moments of untethered bliss. This living, breathing oil masterpiece pairs breathtaking cinematography with standout performances from Haenel and Merlant to craft a poignant reflection on womanhood, romance, and queer identity that rings true today. Introduction by Deborah McGrady (UVA)

Presented by C-VILLE Weekly

This film is part of the LGBTQIA+ series presented by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts and supported by the UVA Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the UVA Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, and UVA Arts: supported by the Office of the Provost & the Vice Provost for the Arts

Date

Friday, October 25

Time

5:45 PM

Location

Culbreth Theatre

Buy Now

VAFF donors at the Extra level and above receive advance access to purchase VAFF tickets during our donor pre-sale window. Donors with pre-sale access have received an email with instructions on how to unlock their access. Public ticket sales begin at Noon on Oct. 6. Please visit Donor Benefits.

Film Info

Director: Celine Sciamma

Runtime: 121 min.

Year: 2019

Country: France

Language: French

Accessibility: Subtitles

Featuring: Adèle Haenel, Noémie Merlant, Valeria Golino